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vigil

vig·il [ víjjəl ]


noun  (plural vig·ils)
Definition:
 
1. night watch: a period spent in doing something through the night, e.g., watching, guarding, or praying

2. festival eve: the eve of some festivals and holy days, spent in prayer



plural noun vig·ils 
Definition:
 
religious services at night: religious services or prayers at night, especially on the eve of a festival or holy day

[13th century. Via Old French vigile< medieval Latin vigilia "eve of a holy day" < Latin, "watchfulness" < vigil "awake, alert"]
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